A unit set up to seize criminals' ill-gotten gains has smashed its own target by taking &#xA3;500,000 in just eight months.

Northumbria Police's economic crime unit set the half-million figure as a target for its first year, but has already exceeded expectations.

DI Phil Butler, who heads the unit, said: "The Home Office set a national figure of &#xA3;60 million but we decided to set our own. There must be a lot of criminals feeling the pinch. We've hit them where it hurts - in their pockets."

The seizures, under the Proceeds of Crime Act, have come from 11 arrests for offences, including the supply of controlled drugs, deception and money laundering.